2003 Ford Expedition Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 87about this part
- Share
- 14%of 615 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 87 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 14% of the 615 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving south on rt 202 in left lane at 35 MPH /a car in right lane changed lanes to the left in front of car in front of me to get to an exit. The car in front of me applied brakes / I pressed brakes hard to avoid rear end collision.. Abs system locked brakes but pedal went to floor. After that brakes felt soft when applied.. Found leak in rusted lines from master cylinder to booster.”
NHTSA complaint #10487572, filed 2012-12, 121,000 miles“My vehicle experienced total brake failure as I approached a four-way stop intersection on a rural county highway. Inspection by auto repair technicians revealed my brake lines had rusted and had experienced several ruptures. The technicians said the rust was the result of Ford's decision to install steel brake lines in the vehicle, rather than aluminum. When exposed to the salt prevalent on local roadways in the winter, they easily rust out long before the vehicle even approaches the beginning of the end of its life.”
NHTSA complaint #10823881, filed 2016-02, 71,000 miles“On a number of occasions the ABS system has failed to perform as described by the manufacturer. Upon stopping when the ABS takes over my vehicle bucks and sends me bucking through intersections. According to the dealership where I purchased this is the way the ABS works. This vehicle also has very poor visibility, there are many large blind spots.”
NHTSA complaint #10023309, filed 2003-06, 5 miles“Truck shut off at 60mph towing a camper because my fuel pump relay blew because of a defect in the fuse box!! Almost killed us........ Not happy at all. I've spoken to many mechanics and been on many forums and this seems to be a wide spread and dangerous issue Ford should take care of. Spoke with the local Ford parts department and they are aware of the issue. This is not a cheap part by any means, but on top of that it almost killed my wife and family! Please do something about this defect. I can send you pictures of the fuse box board so you can see the burns.”
NHTSA complaint #10732953, filed 2015-07, 197,000 miles“While backing out of the garage my brake pedal went to the floor. A new master cylinder and brake booster were replaced at 5,000 miles(5-21-2003). At 15,000 miles my brake pedal went to the floor again, it was towed to the dealer where I was told this is normal and it was just the brake system checking itself. I will be buying a new car and you can be sure it will not be a Ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10056694, filed 2004-02, 5,691 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10020702Dec 28, 2006Parking aid system inoperative - dtc c1983.
- 10013301Jan 1, 2006Brake shudder (rotor thickness variation) due to the new low dust front brake lining used in production, or new linings that were installed per tsb 04-05-02.
- 10019415Jan 1, 2005Unintended brake assist.
- 10018968Jan 1, 2005Parking aid system inoperative.
- 10013083Oct 1, 2002Diagnostics for diagnostic trouble code c1991 in the abs (antilock brake system) module - omitted from workshop manual - procedure provided.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 18% |
| 2025 | 6 | 16% |
| 2024 | 9 | 11% |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% |
| 2022 | 9 | 8% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 2% |
| 2019 | 8 | 2% |
| 2018 | 15 | 4% |
| 2017 | 75 | 21% |
| 2016 | 48 | 22% |
| 2015 | 9 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 4 | 4% |
| 2012 | 6 | 5% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 14% |
| 2008 | 33 | 23% |
| 2007 | 29 | 13% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 16 | 5% |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% |
| 2003 | 87 | 14% |
| 2002 | 22 | 6% |
| 2001 | 24 | 4% |
| 2000 | 33 | 4% |
| 1999 | 36 | 4% |
| 1998 | 57 | 7% |
| 1997 | 110 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Expedition
127 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsTires
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology